Yale Places Fourth at WVU Quad Meet

Mar 17, 2007

March 17, 2007

MORGANTOWN, W. Va. - With a score of 186.925, Yale placed 4th in a quad meet at West Virginia University. An injury on the first event of the afternoon put the Bulldogs at a disadvantage, with only five girls in both the vault and bars line-ups. Still, individual gymnasts hit key routines to keep the team's morale up.

On floor, Miki Seltzer scored a 9.8, tying for fourth place, and just 0.05 out of first place. Alina Liao and Suchitra Paul also had solid routines, earning scores of 9.675 and 9.625, respectively.

Despite being one girl short, each gymnast landed her vault well. Lauren Tatsuno led the way with a 9.65, followed closely behind by Seltzer's 9.625 and the 9.6's from Liao and Jessica Tai. Laura Lombardi received a 9.125.

The Bulldogs were also missing one person from the bars line-up, and unfortunately had to count several falls. However, Lombardi and Paul, the two gymnasts with the big high bar release moves, stepped up for the team. Lombardi turned in a beautiful routine, earning a career high 9.75 and tying for seventh place. Paul also contributed a 9.5, her highest this season.

Beam was highlighted by impressive routines from Liao and Tatsuno, who tied for second with scores of 9.75, a season high for Tatsuno. Paul continued her day of hitting routines, earning a 9.55.

WVU, who is currently ranked 21st in the nation, won the meet with a 195.275. Rutgers placed second with a 190.225, just edging out Temple's 189.975.

Janae Cox from WVU won the all-around with a 39.325. Liao's 37.325 placed fourth.

"There were a few individual highlights, but we had a rough day," said team captain Sarah Peterson. "Hopefully we'll be able to pick it up next week."

Next Saturday, the Bulldogs will travel to Penn State for a tri-meet with Rutgers. Competition starts at 7pm.